Reversible ripper tip

ABSTRACT

A ripper tip is removably attached to an end of a shank and has a point formed on each end thereof to facilitate reversal after one point has worn. Two pairs of apertures may be formed in a saddle mount portion of the ripper tip to align with respective bores formed in the shank to provide four adjusted positions therebetween.

United States Patent [72] Inventor William L. Holmstrom .loliet, 11L {21] Appl. No. 769,538 [22] Filed Oct. 22, 1968 [45] Patented Aug. 24, 1971 [73] Assignee Caterpilhr Tractor Co.

Peoria, 111.

[54] REVERSIBLE RIPPER TIP 3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 172/719, 37/142, 172/735, 299/91 [51] Int. Cl A01b 15/02 [50] Field of Search 172/702, 703, 704, 719, 747, 762, 699, 734, 735, 736, 744, 737; 37/142; 299/91, 92, 93

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7,994 3/1851 Heffley et a1. 172/704 1,208,267 12/1916 Becker 172/704 Primary Examiner-Clyde 1. Coughenour AltorneyFryer, Tjensvold, Feix, Phillips & Lempio ABSTRACT: A ripper tip is removably attached to an end of a shank and has a point formed on each end thereof to facilitate reversal after one point has worn. Two pairs of apertures may be formed in a saddle mount portion of the ripper tip to align with respective bores formed in the shank to provide four adjusted positions therebetween.

PATENTED AUB24l9Yl 3,501, 203

sum 1 UF 3 INVENTOR WILLIAM L. HOLMSTROM BY W fiyfw $4 ATTORNEYS PATENTEUAU1224|97| SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR WILLIAM L. HOLMSTROM BY W PATENTED AU824|97I 3,601. 203 sum 3 [1F 3' INVENTOR WILLIAM L. HOLMSTROM REVERSIBLE RIPPER TIP The life expectancy of conventional ripper tips is normally sought to be improved by changing the design parameters thereof. For example, the tips composition, shape and general construction are constantly revised in attempts to increase the wear characteristics and longevity thereof. Constant replacement of such tips not only incurs high material costs but also involves uneconomical machine shutdown time.

An object of this invention is to overcome the above, briefly described problems by providing an economical earth-working or excavating tip, such as those used in conventional rippers, having a high degree of structural integrity and an in creased life expectancy over conventional tips. One novel feature of this invention comprises the utilization of an earth-engaging point at each end of the tip. Means are provided for attaching a saddle mount portion of the tip to a supporting shank. Thus, when one of the tip points is worn the tip may be reversed to at least double the life expectancy thereof.

Another novel feature of this invention is the provision of adjusting means comprising at least two pairs of apertures suitably formed through the tips saddle mount portion to facilitate their alignment with respective bores formed through the supporting shank. Thus, the tip may be set at least at four different positions on the shank to adapt the tip for work in various soils. Another novel feature comprises loadcompensating means, preferably comprising a mating flange and groove connection between the tip and shank, for aiding in counteracting undue forces imparted onto the tip during operation thereof.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein: I

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a ripper tip attached to a supporting shank;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrows II-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a backside view of a lower portion of the ripper tip taken in the direction of arrows Ill-Ill in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a second ripper tip embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken in the direction of arrows VV in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view' of a third ripper tip embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a crosssectional view taken in the direction of arrows VII-VII in FIG. 6.

FIG. 1 illustrates a ripper tip 10 attached to an elongated supporting shank 11 by attaching means, preferably comprising a retaining pin 12. Although the earth-working tips are hereinafter described as preferably used with rippers, it should be understood that the novel features of such tips are also adapted for other earth-working or excavating uses. For example, such features could be utilized for teeth attached to the cutting edge of a loader bucket or for scarifying teeth attached to the moldboard of a grader or to a bulldozer blade.

Referring to FIG. 2, pin 12 may comprise a concentric reduced portion 13 on which is loosely fitted a split bushing or spring ring 14 (FIG. 2). The pin 12 is retained in locking relationship with tip 10 by frictional contact between spring ring 14 and the inner surface of a bore formed through the shank 11 which is aligned with apertures formed in first and second sideplates l5 and I6 of the tip. It should be understood that other suitable means. may be employed for attaching the ripper tip to the shank.

Referring again to FIG. 1, they tip is preferably symmetrically formed about line or centrally disposed axis 11-" andenhance the structural'integrity of the integrated structure and aids in precisely aligning and correctly positioningthe tip on the shank for pin insertion purposes.

Earth engaging points 18 and 19 are formed at opposite ends of the ripper tip, on opposite sides of axis Il--Il, to facilitate reversal thereof when point 19 is unduly worn or the use thereof otherwise impaired. In particular, removal and replacement of pin 12 will facilitate expeditious reversal of the tip points. As suggested above, the mating V-shaped surface portions of top plate 17 and the shank provide means for correctly positioning and centering the tip and shank relative to each other for pin insertion purposes. Other suitable positioning means, such as a raised bead and mating recess (not shown) formed in the shank and plate 17, could be utilized in lieu of the V-shaped surface portions.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a second ripper tip embodiment 10a. The numerals identical to those used for describing the FIGS. 1-3 and FIGS. 4 and 5 embodiments depict corresponding structures with the FIGS. 4 and 5 numerals being accompanied by subscript a. The tip is attached to a shank 11a by a pin 12a and split bushing 14a in the manner described above. Sideplates 15a and 16a form a channel mount portion along I with a substantially flat top plate-portion 17a. Tips 204 and 21a are formed at opposite ends of plate 17a to provide the reversible desiderata described above.

Another feature of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is the provision of aligned pairs of apertures 20-21 and 22-23 formed in the sideplates for providing four adjusted locations of the tip relative to shank 11a. In particular, bores 26 and 27 are formed through the shank to each cooperate with a selected pair of apertures and pin 12a for adjustment purposes. It should be understood that additional apertures and bores may be formed through.the sideplates and shank to further increase the number of adjustments.

Such adjusting means is particularly useful for changing the length of the cantileveredportion of the tip relative to the shank depending on the type of soil being ripped. For example, alignment of apertures 20-21 and bore 25 would provide maximum tip extension for work in relatively weak or loose soils. Conversely, retraction and retention of the tip at its illustrated FIG. 4 position to align apertures 22-23 and bore 24 adapts the tip for work in strong or highly impacted soils.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a third ripper tip embodiment 10b. The numerals identical to those used for describing the first two embodiments depict corresponding structures with the FIGS. 6 and 7 numerals being accompanied by subscript b. It should be understood that the features herein disclosed for each of the three described embodiments may be utilized in conjunction with any of the other embodiments.

The tip is positioned on a shank 11b to align the apertures formed through sideplates 15b and 16b with a bore formed through the shank. A pin 12b and split bushing 14b function to retain the tip in a locked position on the shank to facilitate reversal of tips 18b and 19b. Sideplates 15b and 16b have opposed flanges 26 and 27 formed on interior portions thereof, respectively, in substantial parallel-relationship to top plate portion 17b.

The flanges are respectively received in slots 28 and 29 formed on the shank to provide means for aiding pin 12b in stabilizing the ripper during operation. In particular, ripping forces imposed on point l9bduring earth working operations will be counteracted and carried at least in part by the flangeslot arrangement. in contrast thereto, it should be noted that the FIG. 1 ripper tip arrangement, for example, will functionto impart corresponding forces directly onto pin 12.

Thus both pin 12b and the flange arrangements will function as load-compensating means when tip 19b is rotated clockwise about the axis of pin 12b during operation. It should be noted that the moment arm defined byan imaginary straight line extending between point 19b and flange 26 is preferably located below the moment arm extending between point and'pin 12b, i.e., the pin is preferably located between the top plate portion and: the load-compensating means. It should be understood that the flanges and mating slots could be reversed if so desired by forming the slots on the tip and the flanges on the shank.' Also, the load-compensating means could be suitably positioned at other locations on the sideplates and shank.

What is claimed is:

1. A reversible earth-working tip mounted on a shank, said tip comprising a one-piece plate portion having an earth-engaging point at each end thereof,

a saddle mount portion attached to said plate portion seated on and removably attached to said shank by attaching means whereby when one of said points is worn said tip may be reversed on said shank to double the life expectancy of said tip, said plate portion and said shank having substantially coextensive widths abutting V- shaped and converging surface portions forming apexes adjacent to and substantially overlying said attaching means for precisely positioning and centering said tip on said shank upon reversal of said tip and load-compensating means formed on said saddle mount portion for counteracting and carrying at least a portion of the forces imposed on said tip during operation, said load-compensating means comprising opposed flanges formed on said saddle mount portion, said flanges arranged substantially parallel relative to said plate portrons,

said attaching means comprising a pin inserted through said saddle mount portion and a bore formed through said shank, said pin located between said plate portion and said load-compensating means, said load-compensating means further comprising a slot formed on each side of said shank having a respective one of said flanges seated therein.

2. An earth-working tip mounted on a shank, said tip comprising a plate portion having at least one point at an end thereof and a saddle mounted portion attached to said plate portion and seated on and attached to said shank,

said saddle mount portion having at least one pair of aligned apertures formed therethrough, pin means inserted through said apertures and said shank for attaching said saddle mount portion to said shank and load-compensating means formed on interior portions of said saddle mount portion and exterior portions of said shank for counteracting and carrying at least a portion of the forces imposed on said tip during operation thereof,

said load-compensating means comprising opposed flanges formed on said saddle mount portion, said flanges arranged substantially parallel relative to said plate portion, and

a slot formed on each side of said shank with each slot having a respective one of said flanges seated therein, said pin means positioned between the plate portion of said tip and said load-compensating means. i

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said plate portion has a point at each end thereof. 

1. A reversible earth-working tip mounted on a shank, said tip comprising a one-piece plate portion having an earth-engaging point at each end thereof, a saddle mount portion attached to said plate portion seated on and removably attached to said shank by attaching means whereby when one of said points is worn said tip may be reversed on said shank to double the life expectancy of said tip, said plate portion and said shank having substantially coextensive widths abutting V-shaped and converging surface portions forming apexes adjacent to and substantially overlying said attaching means for precisely positioning and centering said tip on said shank upon reversal of said tip and load-compensating means formed on said saddle mount portion for counteracting and carrying at least a portion of the forces imposed on said tip during operation, said load-compensating means comprising opposed flanges formed on said saddle mount portion, said flanges arranged substantially parallel relative to said plate portions, said attaching means comprising a pin inserted through said saddle mount portion and a bore formed through said shank, said pin located between said plate portion and said loadcompensating means, said load-compensating means further comprising a slot formed on each side of said shank having a respective one of said flanges seated therein.
 2. An earth-working tip mounted on a shank, said tip comprising a plate portion having at least one point at an end thereof and a saddle mounted portion attached to said plate portion and seated on and attached to said shank, said saddle mount portion having at least one pair of aligned apertures formed therethrough, pin means inserted through said apertures and said shank for attaching said saddle mount portion to said shank and load-compensating means formed on interior portions of said saddle mount portion and exterior portions of said shank for counteracting and carrying at least a portion of the forces imposed on said Tip during operation thereof, said load-compensating means comprising opposed flanges formed on said saddle mount portion, said flanges arranged substantially parallel relative to said plate portion, and a slot formed on each side of said shank with each slot having a respective one of said flanges seated therein, said pin means positioned between the plate portion of said tip and said load-compensating means.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said plate portion has a point at each end thereof. 